Pat Smear

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(from left) Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Paul McCartney perform onstage at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 12, 2012

“You know, I've never played slide before, but it just started doing things on its own – I didn’t even have to try”: That time Paul McCartney channeled his inner bluesman – with the help of Nirvana, and a wild 4-string cigar box guitar

By Jackson Maxwell published

Matty Baratto's guitars have been played by Slash, Keith Richards, Zakk Wylde, Prince, Josh Homme, Joe Perry, and countless others. Seeing the Beatle use one of his four-string creations live with Nirvana, though, was a truly "surreal" moment for the luthier

Composite image of Franz Stahl performing live in 1998 and 2023

“From the second I got the call to join Foo Fighters, I hit the ground running. This was Dave's band, and I was the new guy – it was about not stepping on toes”: Franz Stahl on his time in the alt-rock institution – and Scream's first album in a decade

By Andrew Daly published

Featuring members of Bad Religion and Bad Brains, Scream's forthcoming record celebrates their D.C. roots – guitarist Franz Stahl explains how Dave Grohl upped the punk stalwarts' game, why striking a chord is more powerful than any solo, and how he ended up playing a Strat in the My Hero video – despite not owning one

Dave Grohl plays a 1990 Gretsch White Falcon in the Foo Fighters' Monkey Wrench video (left), the same 1990 Gretsch White Falcon

The Gretsch White Falcon Dave Grohl used in the Foo Fighters' Monkey Wrench video has sold at auction for over $53,000

By Jackson Maxwell published

Once owned by Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear, and used extensively with the band both onstage and in the studio, the Gretsch was heavily modded

Dave Grohl performs onstage with the Foo Fighters in 1998

Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl: "Through Kurt, I saw the beauty of minimalism and the importance of music that's stripped down. That's more powerful"

By Alan di Perna published

In this 1997 GW interview, Grohl discusses how Nirvana shaped his songwriting approach, the impact of Taylor Hawkins, and a then-new song of his called Everlong

The 1990 Gretsch White Falcon formerly owned by Pat Smear

A 1990 Gretsch White Falcon used by Dave Grohl in the Monkey Wrench video is going up for auction

By Matt Parker last updated

The gleaming hollowbody was formerly owned by Pat Smear and featured heavily on The Colour and the Shape

NHC

Pat Smear joins Dave Navarro, Taylor Hawkins and Chris Chaney supergroup NHC for Troubadour show

By Sam Roche published

The Foo Fighters rhythm guitarist had been rehearsing with the trio for their set at the legendary West Hollywood music venue

Foo Fighters 2021 pedalboards

Take a look at Dave Grohl, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear’s pedalboards for the Foo Fighters 2021 tour dates

By Matt Parker published

Size isn’t everything… but guess who’s got the biggest ‘board?

Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear of Nirvana perform at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 13, 2013 in New York City

Dave Grohl says surviving Nirvana members have recorded “really cool” new music

By Guitar World Staff published

Just don’t expect to hear the jams any time soon – or maybe ever

Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl: ”We were doing the things we’re not supposed to do. The galloping flange guitar... the Abba beat!”

By Richard Bienstock published

Early-'80s David Bowie, Eye of the Tiger, single coils? Here's how the Foo Fighters got “weird” for Medicine at Midnight

Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear of Nirvana perform at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 13, 2013 in New York City.

Dave Grohl, Pat Smear and Krist Novoselic still jam as Nirvana in private

By Richard Bienstock published

The trio have even recorded material together

Watch Foo Fighters Bring Holiday Cheer to 'Saturday Night Live' with "Everlong" Christmas Medley

By Jackson Maxwell published

Watch the Three Surviving Members of Nirvana Perform "Big Me" in Oregon

By Jackson Maxwell published

Foo Fighters Announce North American Tour

By Jackson Maxwell published

Foo Fighters—who we profiled in the December issue of Guitar World—have announced a 2018 North American tour in support of their new, chart-topping album, Concrete and Gold.

Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear Talk New Album, 'Concrete and Gold'

By Richard Bienstock published